A silent film about a silent film star struggling to stay relevant as talking films (talkies) make their debut in 1920s Hollywood.

I would normally give a movie with a story like this only 3 stars, but it was unique enough to deserve 4. Being a silent film, the actors had to exaggerate their gestures and facial expressions. The lighting and framing of each shot was noticeably fantastic. It felt like an authentic movie from the era.

This movie is like someone was trying to win a bar bet to create a gimmick short film and they had an unlimited budget. The short film turned into full length and the animation turned into live acting with expensive, talented actors doing good work. Congrats, you win the bar bet - you made the gimmick film.

The idea of a modern-day silent film, instead of being used as a clever storytelling device, is used as a cheap gimmick to tell a generic story with bland characters. Possibly one of the worst Best Picture winners ever made.

I suppose its ok, originally the uniqueness and score lead the way, on a second watch these were a given. Although still very enjoyable, not enough to carry this to a list of great Oscar winning films.

Having watched this along side other Silent movies this month, it doesn't stand up. Chaplin and Keaton created much finer pieces of cinema. More drama, stronger stories and much much funnier.…